"How Serious Is North Korea's Drought Warning?"

"North Korea says it is facing its worst drought in a century, with its main rice-growing provinces badly affected. What effect will this have on an already impoverished population?"

"Isn't it unusual for the North Koreans to admit something like this?

It is true that in times past North Korea would insist that "nothing bad can happen in a country led with the wisdom of the Great Leader" and that asking for foreign aid was "beneath their dignity," Korea analyst Andrei Lankov tells the BBC.

But over the last ten years or so the North Koreans have become more open in admitting problems caused by natural phenomena, Mr Lankov says. "They have learnt in the past few years that they have to admit they have a problem if they want aid," he adds."

Jastinder Khera reports for BBC News June 17, 2015.